GINA

Geographic Information Network of Alaska (GINA)

Geophysical Institute

Geographic Information Network of Alaska

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Meet the Team​

Dedicated to providing near real-time satellite products

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Jen Delamere

Director of GINA

Associate Research Professor
(Snow, Ice, and Permafrost Group at the Geophysical Institute)

  • 907-474-7140
  • jsdelamere@alaska.edu
Dr. Delamere has studied Alaska and the Arctic from the ground and from space for nearly 30 years. Currently, Dr. Delamere is the Director of the Geographic Information Network of Alaska (GINA) at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She is charged with ensuring rapid delivery of products from polar-orbiting satellites to forecasting partners and communities across Alaska. At GINA, Dr. Delamere works closely with the NOAA JPSS program, the NWS Alaska Region, the Alaska Fire Service, and the Alaska Volcano Observatory to ensure decision-makers have the best spaced-based data products available to help protect the property and lives of Alaskans. Dr. Delamere also has a foot on the ground in northern Alaska, where she engages in research studies that include the springtime melt season and precipitation measurement techniques.
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Jay Cable

System Analyst
  • jay@alaska.edu

Jay Cable is a Research and Web Programmer for GINA. He helps operate GINA’s satellite ground stations and performs programming on special projects. He has worked with a wide array of programming languages including Java, C, Ruby, JavaScript, and Perl. Jay has a B.S. in Computer Science from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and someday hopes to complete his M.S.

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Carl Dierking

Satellite Liaison
  • cfdierking@alaska.edu

Carl is a meteorologist working for GINA as a satellite liaison, developer, and trainer. He previously worked for the National Weather Service for nearly 40 years as a forecaster and Science Operations Officer. This experience provides insight into the satellite needs of operational weather forecasters in Alaska, with a focus on the development of tools and training that assists in the transition from research to operations.

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Owen larson

Geospatial Data Analyst
  • ojlarson@alaska.edu
Owen is a Geospatial Data Analyst who previously worked seasonally on a variety of field research and monitoring projects before pursuing a Masters in Geography and a Graduate GISci Certificate from Miami University. Originally from Minnesota, he has lived throughout Alaska and the lower 48 while leading canoe expeditions, trail work crews, and working as a biological science technician. Owen’s lifelong interest in the natural sciences led him to study GIS as a tool to visualize and present data, while his lifelong interest in the outdoors led him to repeatedly return to Alaska, where he works with GINA hosting data and imagery used by the Alaska Fire Service and other government agencies.
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Matthew Mockaitis

Geospatial Data Analyst
  • mjmockaitis@alaska.edu
Matthew is a Geospatial Data Analyst at GINA where he is currently working with field data from the North Slope of Alaska in support of various research projects. Originally from Texas, Matthew received a Master’s of Science in Geoinformatics from the University of Texas – San Antonio after receiving a B.S. in Geology from Texas Tech University. Prior to moving to Alaska, he completed 9 month internship with the State of Texas – General Land Office assisting in the development, manipulation and analysis of geospatial, aerial, and LiDAR elevation data in support of the agency’s projects. Matthew’s love of the outdoors (skiing, hiking, backpacking, canoeing) and his desire to escape to a colder climate drew him to Alaska where he is looking forward to combining his education and passion for the outdoors.
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HUNTER BARNDT

Research Programmer:
UAF Undergrad
  • whbarndt@alaska.edu

Hunter is an undergraduate student at UAF majoring in Physics and Computer Science. His main area of study has been space plasmas but is learning a lot about the Arctic while at GINA. He helps with special programming and research-related projects, with his primary goals being retrieving and handling satellite-retrieved snow data. He was born and raised in Alaska, really enjoys being outdoors, especially with his dogs, and likes to play the piano.

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Grace Veenstra

Communications & Outreach:
UAF Undergrad
  • geveenstra@alaska.edu

Grace is an undergraduate student at UAF majoring in Biological Sciences and Science Communications. She is focusing on climate change and arctic-related issues in her studies. Grace currently operates GINA’s social media pages, organizes presentations, compiles Quick Guides on GINA’s products, and writes articles describing GINA’s role in Alaska. At GINA, she is learning more about using GIS programming and creating informative publications while utilizing her skills in illustration and graphic design. 

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Phillip Wilson

Research Technician
  • prwilson@alaska.edu
Phillip recently graduated from UAF with a BS in Geology and a minor in GIS. During his undergraduate career he conducted four years of URSA funded research to reconstruct the timing and extent of the prehistoric surges of the Black Rapids Glacier and is working towards finalizing and publishing these results. Phillip has experience working as a Field and Data Technician for Geo-Watersheds Scientific since 2013, including groundwater contamination, data networks, instrumentation, and UAS research across Alaska. Currently, Phillip volunteers as the chair of the Eastern Alaska Range Avalanche Center, works as a Cryospheric Research Technician in the Geophysical Institute: Snow, Ice, and Permafrost Group and assists the GINA team with data processing.

Milton Wiltse

Affiliate Professor
Milt is an Affiliate Research Professor with the University of Alaska Geographic Information Network (GINA) group within the Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. His research interests are focused on using GIS and machine learning to extract new information from Alaska’s legacy geologic data pertinent to identify prospective mineralized tracts. He has a B.A. Degree in geology from the University of Pennsylvania, a Ph.D. in geology from Indiana University and 52 years minerals related geologic experience. Prior to his current work at Gina he was a geologist, geochemist, State Geologist and Director of the Alaska Division of Geologic & Geophysical Surveys. Before his time at DGGS, he was a faculty member of the Colorado School of Mines – Geology Department where he taught courses in ore microscopy, petrology, geologic mapping, and theoretical geochemistry of ore deposits. During an extended leave from DGGS in the 1970s Milt worked as a consultant geologist conducting mineral exploration in Alaska and the Southwestern United States.

UAF Collaborators

JEREMIAH DABNEY

Systems Administrator
Jeremiah Dabney is an employee of the Research Computing Systems group at the Geophysical Institute, and he specializes in Linux system administration. Jeremiah assists GINA with our near real-time processing stack, ensuring data products are delivered quickly to Alaska’s operations and research community.
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Elizabeth fernandeZ

Natural Resources & GIS Technician
  • eafernandez2@alaska.edu

After graduating from UC Berkeley with a B.S. in Forestry & Natural Resources and a minor in Geospatial Information Systems, Elizabeth worked a variety of jobs in Northern California before coming to Fairbanks to work on Interior Alaska’s Forest Inventory & Analysis measurements programs. With past experience working in the timber industry, natural resource consulting, and geospatial research, Elizabeth is interested in utilizing geospatial programs to do further research on natural resource systems.

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LIAM FORBES

Systems Administrator

Liam Forbes is the manager of the Research Computing Systems group at the Geophysical Institute. He supervises a team of systems analysts, network engineers, computer technicians, and web developers to provide research cyberinfrastructure and information technology support for the UAF Geophysical Institute and other UA research communities, including GINA.